Some representatives of the peace parties have blamed the peace monitoring bodies for not doing enough to push for the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan.
The officials who represent the SPLM-IO, and SSOA accused the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and CTSAMVM of having a conflict of interest over the 2018 peace deal.
The slow pace of the implementation of the 2018 peace deal has been attributed to a lack of political will and funding by the unity government. In June, the United States announced it is pulling out its support for RJMEC and CTSAMVM due to lack of will from South Sudanese leaders to implement the 2018 peace agreement.
In a rebuttal, Brigadier General Samuel Chan, a senior representative of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance said it is IGAD – as the mediator of the peace deal – to blame.
“IGAD should pay attention to what is going on because once we disagree as parties, we cannot mediate ourselves, it needs the presence of the third party,” he said.
“So I don’t blame only the parties to the agreement for the delay in the implementation, but IGAD also play a huge role there.”
On July 21, the Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) called on the government of South Sudan to fund its activities after the United States announced it will no longer offer financial support to the peace monitoring body.
Major General (Retired) Charles Gituai said the move will impact the operational capacity of RJMEC.
However, Brigadier General Chan said he does not see the impact of the peace monitors working within CTSAMVM and RJMEC.
“The first mistake that was made during the negotiation was bringing the international monitors from the countries neighboring South Sudan. If they brought them from outside, they would have been neutral…How do we know that their coming is of a great value to CTSAMVM or to the peace of South Sudan?” Chan asked.
“And that’s why when we address one issue, another one come up within CTSAMVM,” he added.
Last week, the chairperson of CTSAMVM said the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement is being strained by tensions and violence across the country.
Lt. Gen. Asrat Denero Amad expressed concerns over recent violence in Mayom County that claimed the lives of the commissioner and several others.
He also raised concerns over the security situation in Eastern Equatoria and Warrap States.
In their address during CTSAMVM meeting on July 29, the representatives of the peace parties believe it is time to restructure the peace monitoring bodies, especially CTSAMVM, if they are to become effective.
“We have talked about restructuring CTSAMVM for a long time – if CTSAMVM is to deliver it’s mandate. These are critical points that I think we should have a discussion over it,” said Maj. Gen. Martin Gama Abucha, Senior SPLM-IO representative.
CTSAMVM, RJMEC and other peace implementation mechanism have largely depended on external funding from international donors such as the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, and European Union.